Ariens Contractor 996126 Operator's Manual page 16

Remove Cargo Bed Side Panel
1. Remove five 5/16" hex bolts (item 1) retaining left-side
panel (item 2).
2. Remove left-side panel.
3. Repeat step 1 for right-side panel.
1
1. 5/16" Hex Bolts
2. Cargo Bed Side Panel
OPERATION AND USE
Towing
This vehicle is capable of being towed behind a tractor or
another vehicle as long as certain precautions are followed:
• The ignition switch must be turned off.
• The gear selector must be placed in neutral
position.
• The vehicle must be towed with a rigid tow-bar
that is designed to tow the gross weight of the
vehicle. See SPECIFICATIONS on page 35 for
vehicle gross weight.
• The tow-bar must be securely attached to the
vehicle at a location that will not cause damage or
come loose from the vehicle.
• Owner/user takes on all responsibility and liability
resulting from attaching tow-bar to the unit and to
the tow vehicle.
• Do not allow anyone to ride in the unit while it is
being towed.
• Do not tow a trailer or vehicle behind the vehicle
that is being towed.
• Do not tow vehicle at speeds over 25 mph (40.2
km/h). The vehicle is designed to travel up to
25 mph (40.2 km/h). Higher speeds may result in
damage to the unit, tow vehicle and personnel.
• Slow down when turning to prevent loss of control
and rollovers.
• Obey all state and local laws for towing vehicles.
Figure 10
Engine Performance
All small gas engines need fuel, air, and spark in exactly the
right proportions in order to run properly at peak
performance. Bad or stale fuel, a fouled spark plug, a wet or
corroded spark plug wire, a dirty carburetor, a wet or dirty air
filter, a low oil situation, incomplete fuel combustion,
carburetor icing, high oil situation (gas in the oil reservoir),
2
and low engine temperature are all causes of small gas
engine problems or diminished performance.
Fuel Quality
The normal shelf life of gasoline from the time it leaves the
refinery is about 30 days. Unused gas that is stored too long
can oxidize and break down causing formation of gum and
varnish deposits in carburetors, needle valves, jets and
venturis. This stops or chokes off flow of proper fuel/air
mixture.
Draining the tank or running the engine until the tank is
empty can result in dried out gaskets that, when dry, will
crack and leak. Also, emptying metal fuel tanks and storage
containers can result in corroded containers and
contaminated fuel.
Ariens highly recommends using a fuel stabilizer or oxygen
inhibitor such as Ariens fuel stabilizer p/n 00592900.
Incomplete Combustion
Incomplete combustion is when fuel is not fully burned in the
engine combustion chamber. This condition can occur when
an engine is started but is not allowed to run long enough to
reach full operating temperature. Cold weather can
accelerate this condition. Also, fouled spark plugs, wet
electrical circuits and/or a plugged air filter will prevent fuel
from being fully burned.
Unburned fuel pools on top of the piston and seeps down
the cylinder walls into the oil reservoir. Often the oil dipstick
will show an oil over-fill condition as fuel accumulates in the
reservoir.
The oil reservoir filling up with gas can foul the spark plugs.
If left unchecked, oil will become so diluted with gasoline that
it can no longer function as a lubricant. It is extremely
important to change oil and oil filter often whenever there is
a high frequency of gas getting into the oil reservoir. Not
changing oil and oil filter often can result in premature wear
on cylinder walls and piston rings.
Also, replace fouled spark plugs, regap weak plugs, check
electrical system for capability of delivering a strong spark
and clean the air filter when dirty.
GB - 16